Since 2006 people with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), and MOG antibody disease (MOGAD) living in the Hunter New England region have been supported by the John Hunter Hospital MS service: an outpatient clinic based on a model of self-management, regular and routine MS specialist review, emergency department and inpatient avoidance and early access to therapy to improve life quality and minimise disability accrual.
Neurological care is provided in an outpatient-based model of care, aligned with the globally recognised standard of care, MS Brain Health. The key aspects of the MS care pathway are early referral and diagnosis, timely treatment commencement, timely review of new symptoms and routine, ongoing review.
The purpose of this page is to support people living with neuroimmunological disease (MS, MOGAD and NMOSD), with information and tools to promote self management. It is also to link the medical community with people with MS (PwMS), to improve communication and facilitate a person-focused service. Finally, it is an opportunity to link those with an interest to work or study in this field with infrastructure and the expertise and support of both the PwMS and the MS team.
Image credit: MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION
To coincide with World MS Day, we are hosting public seminars.
Invited speakers include Dr Emma Beckett, Food and Nutrition Scientist, and Jodie Haartsen, Executive Manager Client Engagement and Wellbeing, MS Plus. Local speakers include Professor Jeannette Lechner-Scott, head MS Clinic John Hunter Hospital and Dr Vicki Maltby, Hunter Medical Research Institute and Dr Yasmine Probst, University of Wollongong.
Both events will be held in the John Hunter Hospital Lecture Theatre, Level 3, Lookout Road, New Lambton Heights. The seminars will also be live streamed, for those that cannot attend in person.
- Day Seminar: 2:30pm, 30 May John Hunter Hospital Lecture Theatre
- Stream link - https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/j/89270584033
- Evening Seminar: 6pm, 30 May John Hunter Hospital Lecture Theatre.
- Stream link - https://uonewcastle.zoom.us/j/81613043489
This is a free event. To secure your seat. please email your name, which session you would like to attend and how may seats you would like to hnelhd-msclinic@health.nsw.gov.au
For the full poster and agenda, click here
Preparing for Your Visit
If this is your first visit please allow at least 2 hours for your review. You'll see the MS nurse as well as the specialist. The nurse will orient you to the visit and be able to answer any questions you may have. Support people are encouraged to attend, as are children. We sometimes run overtime, so your patience is appreciated. If you have a copy of your referral and/or related test results bring them along too. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and comfortable shoes.
If your next visit is a follow up (also referred to as a subsequent) visit you will run through the pre-visit assessments with the nurse. These include your weight, blood pressure, pulse, walking speed and cognition assessments. They take about 10-15 minutes to complete so please arrive a little earlier than your appointment is scheduled to do them.
Nurse Pearls
Keep a note of changes to your MS since your last appointment. This can include changes to your medications, concerns or new symptoms you've had. This is helpful at the appointment to prioritise what you want to discuss with the MS team.
Do you have any paperwork (e.g. NDIS application, IPTAAS or referral) or results (e.g. MRI or blood pathology results) to give us you can email or fax them to us ahead of your appointment.
- Preparing for Your Appointment doc.
- IPTAAS doc.
- How to Get the Most Out of Your Appointment
- Email paperwork here
Nurse Pearls
If in doubt, call us...not sure if your new symptom is something to worry about? Call us. Want to discuss family planning and MS? Call us. It's better to call for advice. If you don't want to call, then maybe email instead.
- Telephone: 02 4921 3540
- Fax: 02 49236571
- Email: hnelhd-msclinic@health.nsw.gov.au
What's New?
Our ANZAN 2023 presentation
How our understanding about multiple sclerosis has changed over the last 30 years presented by Jeannette Lechner-Scott at ANZAN 2023 - credit to ANZAN for the video https://www.anzan.org.au/
Information on MOG Antibody disease
MOG Antibody disease is a rare demyelinating disease that follows a similar pattern of inflammation to that of MS.
This webpage is regularly monitored and updated by the MS Clinic staff. If you have a comment please let us know here.